Frame Design

Kay-Kay · Posted: May 28, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject: Frame Design

I've got just about all the parts I need for my winch and am starting to get all the details of my frame in order. I've been wanting to do something different with my frame. I'm hoping to make it compact and as lightweight as possible.

My initial idea was something similar to this

with a few changes. This design seems to be one of the simplest frame designs, very little metal used.

Now the only part of my design that I'm unsure of is what type of metal to use. I'm definitely going to use aluminum, and i want it to fit in a trailer hitch so I'm gonna need some 2x2 sections. All the 2x2 sections i've been looking at ar 1/8 wall thickness which seems excessive for the forces placed on a winch. Does anyone know of the minimum size metal you can use for your frame? I've also been looking at angle aluminum instead of square tubing too?

T-Hawk · Posted: Jun 01, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject:

Can you weld Aluminum tubing as easily as steel tubing?

Btw, let me know how that design and weight of that winch works for you!
I want to build something similar.

Kay-Kay · Posted: Jun 01, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject:

Aluminum is generally considered harder to weld. If you have the right set-up and enough practice it's not too bad. Thankfully, while I've been getting parts from my winch I've found that three of my friends have friends that are really good welders.

I will for sure post up pics of my winch build and be happy to answer any wuestions once I'm finished.

T-Hawk · Posted: Jun 01, 2008 1:09 pm Post subject:

Kay-Kay, Thanks, i really appreciate it!
Where did you find that winch design at?

hus #1 · Ollie Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 71 City: UK

T-Hawk, its the cockney winch, a UK design

its on winchskating dot com with full details and a complete design list with sizes and angles

paulmc · Posted: Jun 01, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject:

Me and my friend made a version of the cockney winch too. Uses hardly any steel and is not too heavy when its all bolted together.

It works.... see this link for our build pics.

Get hunting on winchskating.com forums for the plans of the cockney. We made our cockney with slighty larger up-rights and larger front arms to allow us to use the bigger releasing spool.